MPS Completes Scaled Tank Testing of WaveSub

The tank scale power-take-off systems have been developed in collaboration with the University of Bath. In addition to validating MPS’ computational simulations, the test programme has been supported by two Plymouth University post-graduate students as part of their MSc projects.

MPS’ WaveSub project has been part-funded by the European regional development fund through the Welsh Government, with MPS receiving a £2 million grant in October 2015.

The WaveSub will provide renewable energy source through harnessing the energy from ocean waves. MPS’ wave energy converter (WEC) is due for deployment at sea later this year, the company said.

Dr Gareth Stockman, co-founder and managing director of Marine Power Systems, said: “We are pleased to be continuing our relationship with Plymouth University’s COAST lab, which provides the opportunity to conduct a significant number of simulated operational and extreme sea state tests in a sophisticated purpose built tank with specialist support.

“MPS is also pleased to be working with the University of Bath, through the Centre for power transmission and motion control (PTMC) on our power-take-off system, which has a world-leading reputation as a centre of excellence in such systems.”

Dr Andy Hillis, senior lecturer in mechanical engineering at Bath University, said: “It is a great pleasure to work with Marine Power Systems and the innovative WaveSub device provides a fascinating engineering project for scaled power-off-system design. We are delighted to be involved and we hope to maintain a longstanding and fruitful collaboration.”

Professor Deborah Greaves, professor of ocean engineering and director of the COAST Laboratory, said: “We are very pleased to be collaborating with MPS through MSc student projects and scale model testing in the COAST laboratory at Plymouth University and we are delighted to see how well the development of the WaveSub device is progressing.”